Biography
Dr. Allison Williams is a Professor in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at McMaster University. She is trained as a health geographer in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research. She recently completed a CIHR Research Chair in Gender, Work and Health (2014-2019).
She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Bishop’s University, a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and a Doctor of Philosophy from York University. In 2008, Dr. Williams received a 5-year OWHC/CIHR IGH Mid-Career Scientist Award in Women’s Health, for her research program which addressed the health of informal caregivers. Prior to this, she held a CIHR New Investigator Award (2001-2006) for her research program addressing population health, and specifically environment and health. As a result of these salary awards, she has established a track record in two of the CIHR pillars: (1) health systems and services research, and; (2) the health of populations, the societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health. Dr. Williams was the nominated Principle Investigator of a CIHR ICE (Interdisciplinary Capacity Engagement) Grant (2006-2011), where she led a team of 30 investigators in the completion of a research program made up of 10 projects. Outcomes included 20+ trainees who received interdisciplinary supervision, 60+ peer-reviewed publications, and 100+ presentations.
Dr. Williams has experience working in the policymaking domain, positioning her to advocate for policy and practice improvements at the national, provincial, and local levels, while informing international policy. She has experience employing both integrated knowledge translation (iKT) and end-of-project knowledge translation (KT), and has built several strong collaborative partnerships with organizations representing: caregiver advocacy, health services, and labour. She has also been invited to speak to parliament on two occasions regarding the Compassionate Care Benefit (CCB).
Dr. Allison Williams is available for speaking engagements, where she can share her knowledge on carer-friendly workplace programs. Requests for consulting and speaking engagements can be addressed to Dr. Williams via awill@mcmaster.ca